A Snapshot of your child…

Gentle Helpful Helpers tend to be easy-going, warm, gentle and humble. They are very sensitive and feel things deeply but are likely to only share their feelings with people they trust. These are kids who avoid conflict at all costs and like to please others. They tend to be loyal friends who are usually good at sharing their toys and possessions.  Gentle Humble Helpers usually have a good sense of humor, but if they make jokes, it is seldom at someone else’s expense. They like being spontaneous and responding to what comes up, rather than making plans in the future. They can also be impulsive, doing things that seem like a good idea…at the time. Many of these kids love animals and usually take very good care of them. Although every individual is unique, research shows that Gentle Humble Helpers may have a higher than-average risk of developing anxiety and depression.

Have the conversation

If you have concerns about your child’s emotional health, it’s important for you have a conversation with them – even if it may be uncomfortable.

Choose a time and place where you won’t be interrupted – especially by electronic devices! Understand that most sensitive children have a hard time reaching out and sharing their feelings, so it’s critically important that you create a safe, quiet space and that your child has your complete, undivided attention. This sends them the message they desperately need to hear: “You are so important to me. I am here for you, and I can help you with whatever is troubling you.”

How to connect with your child

Parents and children whose personality types are quite different often struggle to communicate. When parents can meet their children where they are – and communicate more in the child’s style, the conversation is much more satisfying for both parent and child. Here are some tried-and-true suggestions about how to engage your Gentle Humble Helper child:

• Smile, give them lots of hugs and kisses and tell them you love them often.

• Give them specific directions and instructions: show them what you mean whenever possible.

• Accept their need to be physically active; play with and surprise them, be spontaneous.

• Support their feelings and allow them to express them in their own time and style.

• Use incentives and rewards that are tangible like fun, freedom, money and treats.
  

Trusted Resources

Here is a list of trusted resources that may be helpful.

National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI 

Anxiety and depression in children: Get the facts from the CDC 

How to Help Children and Teens Cope With Stress and Anxiety 

The Child Health and Development Institute 

The Highly Sensitive Person 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

International Association for Suicide Prevention

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Crisis text line

For a deeper understanding of your child based on their personality type, preview Nurture By Nature – the most comprehensive resource about personality type and parenting by Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron.

Evidence-based research

The TPI-C assessment and information shared in this report are the result of the most comprehensive original peer-reviewed study of its kind involving 10,500 subjects. It established a strong statistical correlation between inborn personality type and anxiety and depression and was conducted by Paul D. Tieger and a team of researchers at a leading academic institution. 

Have questions or comments?

Please contact Paul D. Tieger, creator of the TPI-C™. You can learn more about him here.